[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1170]]
          TRIBUTE TO INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 201'S ECON BOWL TEAM

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                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to pay tribute to the students of Intermediate School 201 of the South 
Bronx. IS 201's Econ Bowl team took top prize at the 2004 Econ Bowl.
  The Econ Bowl is a citywide contest sponsored by the Federal Reserve 
Bank of New York and the Daily News to encourage middle school students 
to learn about economic policy. This year's competition had students 
consider the possible negative impact of revolutionary technologies. 
The students of Intermediate School 201 examined the possible effects 
that fuel cells would have once they come into widespread use.
  Led by their teacher, Mr. Finkelstein, IS 201's seventh grade team 
worked diligently for four months to develop their award-winning 
presentation; researching and talking with experts such as 
Undersecretary of Energy David Gordon to get a greater understanding of 
the subject matter. Their hard work paid off as they were more than 
prepared to answer tough questions asked by the judges.
  These impressive young people explained how fuel cells would help cut 
back on automobile pollution by generating electricity from hydrogen 
and having only water as an emission. They also examined the downsides 
of a fuel cell revolution such as the disruption it would cause in the 
shipping and auto industry by rendering crude oil obsolete and how it 
would negatively impact oil producing countries. However, in the end 
they concluded that the benefits of fuel cell technology far outweigh 
the negatives.
  Mr. Speaker, one student told a Daily News reporter that he learned 
that fuel cell cars could reduce the pollution that causes his asthma. 
My congressional district has one of the highest childhood asthma rates 
in the country. Throughout my career I have worked to fight the 
environmental injustices in the realm of air quality that have caused 
this disease to be so prevalent in the South Bronx. To hear the youth 
of my district discuss ideas for eradicating this disease makes me 
proud and reassures me that the South Bronx will be left in good hands.
  For earning first place in the 2004 Econ Bowl, I ask that my 
colleagues join me in honoring Intermediate School 201.

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